Question for taxidermists...

[crittergetter76]

I recently got several hides back from a tannery. (beaver, coyote, two otters, and a prairie dog) Unlike hides I've had tanned before, these were very gummy feeling. Kinda greasy with matted fur. Makes you feel like you MUST wash your hands after handling.

My question is this - can I soak in soapy water and try to degrease them without damaging them? Will it hurt the "tan" that the tannery did?

After the money I spent to have them tanned I'm a pretty bummed by the end result. Any advice would be much appreciated!!

[Jpenn24]

Unfortunately if you put them in soapy water they will dry hard. Once they are in any water the skin will dry up and you would have to re work the hide for it to be soft again. If you are mounting the animals it would work great because you have to re hydrate the hide anyway because you want it to dry hard around your form , but for just having the hides I would not recommend it if you want them to be soft.

[brokeno]

Call the tannery

[crittergetter76]

Unfortunately if you put them in soapy water they will dry hard. Once they are in any water the skin will dry up and you would have to re work the hide for it to be soft again. If you are mounting the animals it would work great because you have to re hydrate the hide anyway because you want it to dry hard around your form , but for just having the hides I would not recommend it if you want them to be soft.

I'm not mounting the hides. I guess if I had to re-work the leather side to be soft again it wouldn't be the end of the world. As long as I won't damage them. That's my main concern.

[crittergetter76]

Call the tannery

I may do that. Don't know what they would/could do at this point, but I guess that's the point of calling.

[crittergetter76]

ttt

[SwineAssassiN]

What tannery if you don’t mind me asking. Want to make sure I don’t use them

[Texastaxi]

Try dry shampoo, first. It's in an aresol can, spray it on the fur, let it dry, then brush it out.

Washing them SHOULD NOT damage the tan. It's just leather, with the hair still on it, but as JPenn said, when they dry they will be stiff, and not soft anymore.

[crittergetter76]

Try dry shampoo, first. It's in an aresol can, spray it on the fur, let it dry, then brush it out.

Washing them SHOULD NOT damage the tan. It's just leather, with the hair still on it, but as JPenn said, when they dry they will be stiff, and not soft anymore.

I didn't know dry shampoo existed. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the info.

[MadHatter]

I didn't know dry shampoo existed. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the info.

Yep. Dated a girl with dreads, and that's how she washed her hair. Your hides might smell like a tropical sunrise though.